Carter Machine

Carter Machine was an American custom paintball equipment manufacturer and machining workshop established by Earon Carter in Hawthorne, California, during the early 1980s. The company became known for precision-machined pump-action paintball markers, particularly the Carter Comp and Carter Buzzard, as well as customised semiautomatic markers and aftermarket components.[1][2]

Carter Machine was closely associated with the Southern California stock-class paintball community and maintained a manufacturing relationship with DYE Precision during the 1990s.[3]

History

Establishment

Earon Carter established Carter Machine in Hawthorne, California, during the early 1980s, following earlier work machining components for the aerospace industry.[1]

Carter became involved in the developing Southern California paintball community, including players and equipment technicians associated with SC Village, then known as Sat Cong Village.

He initially worked on modifications to existing Sheridan and Nelson-based markers before developing complete custom pump markers.

Carter also worked with Stan Russell through an earlier business known as South Bay Arms.[2]

Development of custom pump markers

During the late 1980s, Carter Machine developed several custom markers based on the Nelson-style pump operating system.

The Carter Comp used an under-cocking pump mechanism and was manufactured in different barrel, feed and air-source configurations.

The Carter Buzzard used a side-cocking arrangement and became particularly associated with stock-class competition.

An early related design, the Termite, was developed by Carter and Rob "Termite" Smith during the late 1980s. The design subsequently developed into the Buzzard.[4]

Carter Machine also produced customised Desert Duck and box-style markers, along with modifications to existing equipment.

The company's products were generally manufactured in relatively small quantities, with individual markers often incorporating customer-requested features.

Autococker customisation

During the early 1990s, Carter Machine expanded its work on semiautomatic paintball markers.

The workshop became particularly associated with customised Autococker markers manufactured originally by Worr Game Products.

Modifications included body milling, replacement bolts, barrels, pneumatic components and cosmetic finishes.

Some Carter Machine Autocockers featured diagonal milling patterns, commonly described as shark gills, along with distinctive breech ventilation cuts and modified bolt assemblies.[5]

Former employee Marc Pascual recalled that the workshop experimented with breech ventilation holes intended to reduce gas travelling back through the feedneck.

Paintball historian Daniel Bacci documented these modifications through surviving equipment and interviews with former employees.[5]

Relationship with DYE Precision

Carter Machine maintained a close relationship with Dave Youngblood, who worked at Carter's workshop before establishing DYE Precision in 1994.

A contemporary Los Angeles Times article published on 18 October 1990 identified Youngblood, then known as Dave DeHaan, as an employee of Carter Machine.[6]

During the mid-1990s, Carter Machine and DYE shared manufacturing activities in Fullerton, California.

Former employee John Coleman recalled machining barrels for DYE while also producing custom equipment for Carter Machine.

According to Coleman, Carter and Youngblood relocated their manufacturing operations to San Diego in 1998.[3]

The relationship between the businesses involved shared production activities and personnel. It should not be interpreted as evidence of an acquisition without supporting corporate records.

Products

Notable Carter Machine products and customisations included:

Product	Description
Carter Comp	Custom Nelson-based pump marker using an under-cocking mechanism
Carter Buzzard	Custom pump marker using a side-cocking mechanism
Termite	Early custom pump developed with Rob Smith
Desert Duck	Custom stock-class marker configurations
Boxgun	Compact, box-style stock-class pump markers
Carter Autococker	Customised WGP Autocockers with proprietary machining and components

Carter Machine also modified Automag, Sterling and Line SI markers.[2][5]

Stock-class competition

Carter Machine was closely involved in the development of organised stock-class paintball in Southern California.

The Earon Carter Stock Class Invitational became an established competition during the 1990s.

The 1996 tournament took place at SC Village in Corona, California, on 16 and 17 March.

Sixteen teams competed, with the Hawaiian team Combat Crew winning the tournament.

Carter Machine supplied custom blue Buzzard markers as prizes for the winning team.[7]

The tournament continued in San Diego in 1997.

In 1998, the Earon Carter Stock Gun Championship was held alongside the National Professional Paintball League tournament in Las Vegas.

That event was organised by DYE Precision, with Carter Machine supporting the competition.[8]

Legacy

Carter Machine became associated with custom mechanical marker manufacturing during the development of tournament paintball in the 1980s and 1990s.

Its Comp and Buzzard markers were used in stock-class competition, while its customised Autocockers formed part of the wider aftermarket equipment industry.

The workshop also provided experience and training for machinists who subsequently worked elsewhere in paintball equipment manufacturing.

Original Carter Machine equipment remains documented in specialist historical collections and paintball equipment archives.

References

External links